Computers and Developing CountriesRichard Nellis

Providing access to technology is necessary if the “digital divide” is not to increase, condemning the majority to increased marginalization in the Information Age. - Peter Benjamin, 2001, Researcher in South Africa

Developing Countries, A Definition

Underdeveloped Industrial Base

Low Human Development Index (HDI)

Population has… Lower Life Expectancy Less Education Less Income

However, there is no conventional definition

World Bank Definition

Four levels of income based on GNI per capita (in USD) Low income: $1,045 or less Lower middle income: $1,026 to $4,125 Upper middle income: $4,126 to $12,735 High income: above $12, 736

Notes: “Classification by income does not necessarily reflect development status”

How Countries Develop

Factors Stimulating Growth: Human Capital Trade Policy Investment Education

Factors Hindering Growth Illness/Disease Malnutrition / Underdevelopment of the body and brain Political Instability

Countries of Focus

South Africa Smart Cape Access

Kenya Lifeline Energy, BRCK Education

South Africa

Population: 55 million Upper middle income (World Bank) Over 25% of the population

unemployed Unitary constitutional parliamentary

republic Only 10% of households have

internet access (WebAfrica 2013) Only 2% of rural households access

the internet (WebAfrica 2013)

Kenya

Population: 45 million Lower middle income (World Bank) Presidential Republic Plagued by political unrest due to

disputed presidential election Child labor and prostitution due to

lack of education access

How Computers Can Help

Computers aid in bettering education opportunities Education leads to

Water Electricity Roads More self determination Improved employment / economic standing

Improved communication Access to informative and entertaining software Improved productivity, multitasking, and information gathering

Questions Introducing Computers

Are the computers needed? Appropriate hardware and software? Is there adequate support provided? Sufficient electricity? Sufficient funding for launch and maintenance? Evaluated Cost Based on a 1998 Study

Initial Investment: $151,000 Total annual cost: $75,480

Project Goals: Needs to Succeed

Evaluate needs of community How could computer access improve lives?

Affordability for the users Local and political support High levels of participation Relevant content / education

Case Study: Smart Cape Access Project in Africa One of the largest and most successful introductions of computers to

Africa Initiated in early 2000s Cape Town, South Africa Introduced 36 computers in six public libraries in disadvantaged areas in

Cape Town in 2002 (4 computers dedicated for public use in each library)

Libraries provided with security, electricity, telephone connections Cape Town Council realized potential of internet access

Internet would create much needed jobs

Smart Cape Access - Goals

From the Project Evaluation by Infonomics South Africa1. To provide free public access to computers and the Internet 2. To prove that open source software is affordable, appropriate technology for a public service digital divide initiative 3. To increase opportunities for members of disadvantaged communities.

Smart Cape Access – Present Day

Established 20 e-Community Centers around the Western Cape Each equipped with training centers Offers free internet access Email accounts for users Electronic transacting facilities (eBanking, Shopping)

Why Did Smart Cape Access Succeed? Popularity – returning users Lower than expected cost Maintainability - willing librarians and local government Training efforts in place Affordability for users (free internet and email)

Other Projects: Lifeline Energy

Founded in 1998 Designs solar and windup media players Lifeplayer MP3 – the “iPod for

development” Provides education to Dadaab refugee

camps and markets in Zambia Radio broadcast benefits include

Women’s rights, health, and controversial issues to Somali women

Children’s primary education Tom Hanks is a primary funder Shows the impact of providing information

to developing nations

BRCK – Connect to the Internet Anywhere Wireless, battery-powered mobile router by Ushahidi Kickstarter funded project Works similarly to a cell phone, connects to 3G or 4G networks Supports up to 50 simultaneous devices Charges through solar panel, car battery, computer, wall Versatile with rugged exterior

BRCK – Education Solutions

Kio Kit – pairs Kio tablets and a BRCK in a mobilized charging station

Designed and engineered in Kenya Vision: “To enable millions of children in

schools across emerging markets to access digital educational tools for better learning”- From education.brck.com

Summary – Why Introduce Technology to Developing Countries?

Resources Used

Smart Cape Access Project Evaluation Cape Town’s Government Website Lifeline Energy’s Official Website World Bank Developing Countries List and Definition WebAfrica – Internet Penetration in South Africa South Africa Government Website Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor – Kenya BRCK Website: brck.com and education.brck.com

Resources (Websites, Citations)

https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/bridging-digital-divide-one-e-centre-time https://www.westerncape.gov.za/text/2003/12/smart_cape_access_project_-_evaluation_final_report.pdf http://lifelineenergy.org/our-technology/the-lifeplayer/ http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-and-lending-groups http://www.jstor.org/stable/4029199?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents Campos-Outcalt, D., 1991, 'Microcomputers and health information in Papua New Guinea: a two-year follow-up evaluation', Journal of

Health Policy and Planning. Dow, M., 1989, 'Review of Selected Donor Agency Policies on Computers and Informatics in Third World Countries', paper given at a

conference on Computers for Development. Odera, M., 1991, 'The Enforcement of Foreign Technology on Africa', paper presented at the International Federation for Information

Processing (IFIP) Working Group 9.2, Brighton, UK. Duncan Wells. “Introducing Computers into Development Programmes: Some Problems and Suggested Solutions”. Development in

Practice 3.1 (1993): 36–43. Web... Benjamin, Peter. 2001. “The Gaseleka Telecentre, Nothern Province, South Africa” in Colin Latchem and David Walker (eds). Telecentres:

Case Studies and Key Issues. Vancouver: The Commonwealth of Learning. http://www.col.org/telecentres/Telecentres_complete.pdf Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), RSA. February 2001. Electronic Government: The Digital Future: A Public Service IT Policy Framework.

http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTAFRREGTOPDISEDU/Resources/Osin.pdf Computers in Education in Developing Countries: Why and How? by Luis Osin https://www.webafrica.co.za/blog/general/latest-statistics-south-african-internet-penetration/ United States Department of Labor, 2009 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Kenya, 15 December 2010, available at:

http://www.refworld.org/docid/4d4a6806d.html [accessed 1 February 2016] BRCK Website: brck.com and education.brck.com

Images

http://www.iran-daily.com/File/File/138766 http://alexmuscat.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/economic_growth-300x300.jpg World Bank Logo From World Bank Website Smart Cape Images from Smart Cape Government Website http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/Lifeplayer%20with%20boys%20in%20Kenya.JPG https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Desktop_computer_clipart_-_Yellow_theme.svg/200

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http://www.rugby365.com/uploads/image/asset/26755/South-African-flag.jpg https://www.baptistfaithmissions.org/Img/temp/KenyaMap.png https://

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